TWO people have been injured in a harrowing helicopter crash that saw the aircraft catch fire in midair and spiral out of control.
The chopper went down at around 8.45am on Monday in Pompano Beach, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale.
Dramatic video posted on Facebook captured the moment a trail of smoke billowing from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue helicopter in midair before flames began shooting out of it.
The chopper then began to spiral before it crashed on the ground.
Footage from WSVN showed several fire rescue trucks on the crash site putting out the flames.
A roof of a home in the area had a large, gaping hole with burning debris visible, footage from the scene showed.
Three crew members were on board the chopper when it went down.
Two were transported to the hospital in unknown condition, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
There have been no reported injuries to pedestrians on the ground.
Local resident Brian Piggott was out for a walk when he witnessed the chopper crash into a building near the airport.
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Piggott said he witnessed the helicopter take off and minutes later saw a trail of smoke and losing altitude before crashing, he told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The aircraft crashed a few blocks from the Broward County School District.
Authorities have shut down North Dixie Highway between Northeast Fifth Street and Northeast 10th Street as they work to clear the scene.
Broward Sheriff's officials are asking motorists to avoid the area.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.
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